Special Assistant (Director of Intergovernmental & Community Affairs) - VID 183396

About OGS

Duties Description

The New York State Office of General Services (OGS) provides essential support services for state government operations. We are a diversified organization that delivers a broad spectrum of services to state agencies, local governments, and the public, including building management and maintenance services for 49 major office complexes and buildings statewide, including the state Capitol; managing leases of privately held real estate used for state purposes; architectural, engineering, and construction management services, hosting cultural programs at our facilities, and more.

OGS facilitates the work of New York State agencies, the Legislature, and the Judiciary and supports local governments, eligible nonprofits, school districts, and public authorities. The agency provides services by developing and managing efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable programs and activities. Critical services are delivered by partnering with New York State businesses and presenting them with significant economic opportunities through their participation in state contracts administered by OGS for commodities, services, and technology.

About Division Of External Affairs

The Division of External Affairs oversees public affairs, communications, and media services for State

agency clients as well as curation and programming for a world-class art collection and events for New

Yorkers and 200,000 annual visitors to the State. The External Affairs Division provides digital campaign support for 39-plus agencies and authorities and manages or facilitates 2,100 annual events and programs in the State.

About the role:

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Commissioner for External Affairs, the Director of Intergovernmental & Community Affairs will serve as the primary liaison to elected and non-governmental entities and will advise on proactive outreach strategies in addition to managing responses to stakeholder inquiries. The incumbent will coordinate the participation of agency leadership in external facing events, facilitate knowledge sharing across agency leadership, and will work closely with the Divisions of Legal, and Strategy, as well as other operational units.

Specific duties of this role will include, but not be limited to, the following:

Leadership and Management

• Work with Executive, Legal, and within External Affairs divisions to shape coalition-building and outreach strategy to achieve public policy aims and enactment of legislative priorities.
• Draft background briefing documents to provide high-level information on major projects, critical issues, and industry best practices while building and maintaining a knowledge base, records, and relevant procedures.
• Advise on intergovernmental affairs and community relations strategy.
  
  

Office Operations

• Coordinate with external affairs to develop stakeholder outreach and engagement strategies for announcements and major initiatives.
• Work with Legal division to research, analyze, and track pending legislation, hearings, and/or policies that impact OGS. Brief executive management on impacts, recommended positions, and appropriate responses.
• Work with the Executive division to coordinate participation of leadership in public-facing events, including researching and vetting opportunities, coordinating briefing memos, aligning messaging, staffing events, and facilitating follow-up work.
• Attend and provide summary reports on meetings, events, and hearings of interest.
• This position requires routine evening and weekend work.
• Travel may be required (approximately 20%), including during evening and weekends.
• Assist in other assignments as directed.
  
  

Goal Setting, Management, and Support

• Build, maintain, and strengthen effective working relationships with elected officials, professional and advocacy organizations, policy coalitions, and community groups. Serve as the primary point of contact for these stakeholders and identify issues for escalation. Track, coordinate, and craft responses to external stakeholders, and develop opportunities for proactive outreach and education.
• Provide input for business and strategic planning across the agency, ensuring that the appropriate goals for departments and individual managers have been set uniformly and in accordance with OGS’ strategic plan.
• Review operations and develop criteria for evaluating unit performance and goal attainment. Set standards for measuring the effectiveness of operations.
• Use data, analytics, and performance measurement to monitor key operations, determine program and initiative success, and promote a data-driven culture for assigned initiatives.
• Formulate policies and procedures necessary to effectively integrate administrative directives. This includes the development and management of elected official or stakeholder relationships, implementing work performance enhancements, instituting efficient operational practices, and ensuring compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
• Monitor and track the execution of key initiatives and projects, including those related to unit services.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelors’ degree and five years’ experience in community affairs or intergovernmental relations in New York State or working directly with the New York State legislature.

Substitutions: An additional four years of specialized experience OR an associates degree and two years of specialized experience may substitute for a bachelor’s degree; a J.D. or master’s degree may substitute for one year of specialized experience; Ph.D may substitute for two years of specialized experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with New York State legislature, legislative processes, and key staff, as well as relevant non-profit and advocacy organizations.
• Demonstrated political acumen and sound judgment.
• Ability to prioritize multiple issues, take initiative, establish relationships, and gain a high-level understanding of the breadth of OGS’ operations quickly.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills, and ability to distill complex concepts quickly, clearly, and concisely for a variety of audiences.
• Excellent research, analysis, information organization, and record-keeping skills.
• Thorough attention to detail and accuracy.
• Solutions-oriented outlook, flexibility, creativity, intellectual curiosity, collaborative approach and comfort working across divisions in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience working on public policy campaigns, event planning, and staffing events; and
• Proficiency in major Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint).
• Possession and maintenance of a valid Driver’s License issued by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicle is preferred.
  
  

Additional Comments

The Office of General Services (OGS) is an equal opportunity employer, and we recognize that diversity in our workforce is critical to fulfilling our mission. We encourage applicants from all communities to apply.

For a full version of OGS’s EEO/AA statement and benefits joining Team #OneOGS, please visit http://www.ogs.ny.gov/employment.

NOTE ON TELECOMMUTING: Employees are required to apply and obtain approval through management to telecommute according to the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.